Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled at approximately 15 kms from the Porbandar city and stands in front of the Arabian Sea. Earlier this sanctuary was a private forest which was owned by the princely State of Jamnagar and Ranavav (Porbandar). Due to this reason this forest is still popular as the Jam Barda or Rana Barda. In the year 1979, this forest was declared as a “Sanctuary”.
Geography of Barda
Barda has a hilly landscape and the sanctuary sprawls over an area of 192.31 square kilometers. It is very essential to protect the sanctuary as it possesses varied floral compositions and hence is an important source of medications to many diseases. Barda lies on an altitude which ranges from 79.2 meters to 617.8 meters over the sea level.At several places some gentle slopes exist with rocks. The place attracts a lot of visitors due to its miscellaneous botanical affluence. Joghri and Bileshvary are the main rivers of this place. “Khambala” and “Fodara” are the two important dams which enhance the beauty of the Barda sanctuary. This beautiful sanctuary looks like a green valley enclosed by the wastelands, agricultural fields and forest.
Flora and Fauna of the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a home to mammals, birds and reptiles. Leopard, ratel and wolf are a few of the endangered mammals that are found in this sanctuary. Among the various reptiles, chameleon and crocodile are endangered and rare and dwell in this sanctuary. Crested hawk eagle, flamingo and the spotted eagle are some endangered or rare species of birds that are found here. The Barda sanctuary gives shelter to the 3 poisonous snakes which are among the four most common venomous snakes found in India.
Besides this, the sanctuary also houses chinkara, jackal, hyena, blue bull, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar etc. Apart from this, the sanctuary also gives shelter to the Asiatic lion.